Everything is more expensive right now — and that includes Spring Break. However, that doesn’t mean you and your family can’t get the spring break you’ve been waiting for. By planning ahead, choosing cheaper destinations and using apps to save money when you travel, you can end up with a very affordable Spring Break trip—even as we enter a second year of inflation.
Last year, we asked moms how they planned Spring Break during the coronavirus. This year, we asked the same moms how they handled Spring Break during inflation. We also spoke with a nationally recognized financial expert who works with busy moms to get even more advice on how parents can save money on Spring Break travel.
Here are some things to consider.
The mother who booked a beach trip to the small town
Last year, financial coach Annette Harris took her family to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. For Spring Break 2023, she puts in extra work to save some money. “I planned ahead to prepare my family for the rising costs of Spring Break,” Harris said. “I researched different locations across the East Coast to find affordable places we could visit.”
;Her research quickly revealed that Spring Break flights would cost more than she wanted to spend. She started looking at destinations that were within driving distance. “To cover the costs, we decided to drive instead of flying.”
Harris was also told that hotels and resorts would cost more than she wanted to spend. “Most of the hotels and resorts I looked at cost hundreds of dollars a night, which doesn’t include the meals to get you through the day.”
She ended up booking a vacation home through Airbnb, which will help her save money not only on lodging but food as well. “Choosing an Airbnb allowed us to bring groceries to cook daily. If we want to go to dinner, we can do that too. But the ability to cook our meals will ensure we keep our holiday budget on track.”
Harris also stuck to her vacation budget by choosing a small beach town instead of one of the more popular vacation destinations. “We avoided the most popular places in South Carolina,” she said. “That way we can have a beach vacation at a reduced price.”
The mother who takes the children to visit relatives
Last year, travel blogger Tykesha Burton kept her family close to home, postponing any major trips until her youngest child was eligible for the coronavirus vaccine. This year, she’s once again rethinking her Spring Break plans.
“Usually I would be sewing all of our Spring Break plans this time of year,” Burton told us. “Due to the high cost of everything, I haven’t solidified our plans yet.”
Burton had hoped to spend the week at an all-inclusive resort. Instead, she takes the children to visit aunts, uncles and cousins.
“I first wanted to visit an all-inclusive family resort in Mexico,” she said. “We have decided to visit the family in Miami instead. This will be cheaper than an all-inclusive option.”
While Burton will still shoulder the costs of bringing her two children to Miami, the extended family vacation will save her immediate family a lot of money that can be put toward a future trip when prices drop. “We’re hoping to roll what we save over Spring Break into a more extended summer vacation,” says Burton, “to hopefully a far-away destination.”
The financial expert who wants you to save money with apps
Financial expert Andrea Woroch offers budgeting tips for busy moms. Here’s her advice for all parents still planning Spring Break.
“My best tip is to forget about flying,” says Woroch. “You have already missed the place to book for the best price, which is about six to eight weeks before departure.” (If you’re traveling in late March or April, you may still have time.)
If you’re not ready to give up on your dreams of air travel to family-friendly destinations during spring break, use price tracking apps to search for affordable flights. “Set up a price tracking alert from your home airport but leave the destinations open,” advises Woroch. “An app like Going or Hopper can alert you to a great flight deal if it becomes available for your travel dates.”
Price tracking apps can also help you save money on a road trip, especially if you use apps designed to help you save money on gas while traveling here in the US. “Driving can be much cheaper than flying,” says Woroch, “especially since you can pack your own snacks, bring unlimited luggage and bring your own entertainment. Stick to a destination a little closer to home to save gas and use apps like GasBuddy to help you find cheaper gas along your route.”
Finally, Woroch suggests using coupon apps to help you save money once you reach your destination. “Groupon and LivingSocial are still around, and they can be a great way to explore a new city and take part in fun activities and adventures or even try new restaurants at a low cost. Simply search these sites for deals based on zip code or name of the city you are traveling to to see what types of savings appear.”
In our experience, looking for a place with good spring weather and lots of outdoor activities (like hiking trails or somewhere near a national park) opens up a lot of cheaper options, provided they aren’t already booked. For families, take Harris’ advice that finding a vacation rental can be cheaper than hotel rates for rooms that can accommodate everyone.
Regardless of your budget, we hope you get some well-deserved time off – for you and the kids.
Source link
